7 Best Shonen Anime With Underdog Protagonists Who Rise To Power

Summary

  • My Hero Academia: Deku’s journey to heroism portrays friendship and never losing sight of the right path.
  • Black Clover: Asta’s rise from no magic to the strongest Magic Knight is a wild ride with great friends.
  • Naruto: A perfect example of underdog to top-dog story in the Shonen genre filled with growth and compassion.

Underdogs rising to power is a common trope in Shōnen anime and though there are multiple series depicting these situations where seemingly weak younglings charge at larger-than-life foes, a few selected series have become the top of the genre for various reasons.

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Be it for their relatable characters, the great depictions of friendship, or because of the quality of the storytelling, these series are a level above every other in the genre. This list spotlights the best shonen Anime with Underdog Protagonists who rise to power.

8

My Hero Academia

The Story Of A Young Man Relentlessly Pursuing His Dream

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9.3/10

My Hero Academia

ActionSuperheroAnimation

Release Date

April 3, 2016

Seasons

7

Website

https://www.funimation.com/shows/my-hero-academia/

Studio

Bones

Franchise

My Hero Academia

Characters By

Kohei Horikoshi

Japanese Title

Boku no Hero Academia

Based On

Manga

Creator

Kōhei Horikoshi

Distributor

FUNimation Entertainment

Main Characters

Tsuyu Asui, Katsuki Bakugo, Ochaco Uraraka, Izuku Midoriya, Shoto Todoroki, All Might

Production Company

Bones

Story By

Kōhei Horikoshi, Yōsuke Kuroda

Number of Episodes

159

Streaming Service(s)

Hulu, Crunchyroll

MyAnimeList Score

7.85 (Season 1)

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The story of how Deku, who always dreamed of being a hero, gathered the courage and forged his will through constant strife is undoubtedly inspiring. Even though the ending of the series had a poor reception from the fans, the series has a great deal of significance for the Shonen culture.

With memorable characters, endearing friendship moments, and a clear message: no matter what you do, if you don’t stray from the right path, and you trust those who you can call friends, everything is going to be okay.

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7

Black Clover

A Boy With No Magic Becomes One Of The Strongest Magic Knights

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10/10

Black Clover

TV-PG
ActionAdventureAnimation

Release Date

2017 – 2020

Directors

Tatsuya Yoshihara, Ayataka Tanemura

Writers

Kazuyuki Fudeyasu, Kanichi Katou

Franchise(s)

Black Clover

Main Genre

Action

Seasons

1

Studio

Pierrot

Based On

Manga

Creator

Yūki Tabata

Number of Episodes

170

Streaming Service(s)

Crunchyroll, Hulu, Netflix

MyAnimeList Score

8.14

Creator(s)

Yūki Tabata

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Black Clover is another great example of an underdog main character becoming a big deal on its own accord. From the boy who could never wield magic, to the strongest Magic Knight of the Black Bulls, and protector of the Clover Kingdom, Asta’s journey has been a wild ride.

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Thankfully, he always had great friends to accompany him through all the dangers, double-crosses, and twists of the plot that Yūki Tabata had prepared for him. His is a path that was always filled with hardship, but one worth watching for fans of the Shonen genre.

6

Naruto

An Orphan, Shunned And Despised By Everyone, Becomes A Hero

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10/10

Naruto

TV-PG
AnimationActionAdventureComedyFantasy

Release Date

2002 – 2006

Showrunner

Masashi Kishimoto

Directors

Hayato Date

Writers

Masashi Kishimoto

Franchise(s)

Naruto

Main Genre

Animation

Seasons

1

Studio

Pierrot

Based On

Manga

Creator

Masashi Kishimoto

Number of Episodes

220

MyAnimeList Score

8

Creator(s)

Masashi Kishimoto

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Is Naruto the perfect Shounen? Some say yes, some say no; but there’s no doubt that this series is a perfect example of an underdog becoming top-dog through and through. From its humble beginnings as an outcast Chūnin to becoming Hokage (in Boruto) fans have witnessed Naruto’s growth and it was a significant one.

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Few other characters in this anime can flaunt about ending a bloody war between ninja clans, coming unscathed, and even moping the floor with some of the most dangerous beings who threaten to destroy their world. And all that without losing sight of what he is: a good friend, and a kindhearted and humanitarian person, always smiling despite the weight of sorrow.

5

Saint Seiya

The Most Underestimated Protectors Of Justice Challenge The Gods

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Saint Seiya

ActionFantasy

Release Date

October 11, 1986

Seasons

6

Studio

Toei Animation

Based On

Manga

Creator

Masami Kurumada

Number of Episodes

114

Streaming Service(s)

Crunchyroll

MyAnimeList Score

7.75

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The legend of Seiya and the Bronce Saints is the stuff of myths: shunned by the very organization that trained them, accused of betrayal, and overcoming traitorous (and powerful) beings, as well as reincarnated Gods in a struggle to protect their beloved Athena and the bonds they forged in battle.

Despite their weakness, grit, and will on hand, they fight for the greater good. No matter if those in front of them are the Patriarch, the Ruler of the Ocean, or the very God of the Underworld. The perfect underdog story for those who love romantic fantasy shōnen from a classic era.

4

Demon Slayer

The Journey Of Two Siblings, Survivors Of A Terrible Tragedy

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9.3/10

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba

TV-MA
AnimationActionAdventure

Release Date

April 6, 2019

Cast

  • Cast Placeholder Image

    Natsuki Hanae

  • Cast Placeholder Image

    Zach Aguilar

  • Cast Placeholder Image

    Abby Trott

Main Genre

Animation

Seasons

5

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3

Haikyuu!!

A Small Framed Boy Who Dreamed Of Flying Sky High

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Haikyuu!!

TV-14
AnimationComedyDrama

Release Date

April 5, 2014

Cast

  • Cast Placeholder Image

    Ayumu Murase

  • Cast Placeholder Image

    Kaito Ishikawa

  • Cast Placeholder Image

    Yu Hayashi

Main Genre

Animation

Seasons

4

Creator(s)

Haruichi Furudate

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Sports anime is quite intense, and more so if it is a Shonen series about an underdog small boy trying to reach out for the stars, like what fans will see in Haikyuu!! A series with high-quality storytelling: a coming of age inside an ‘overcoming the adversity’ trope, with relatable characters and memorable friendship moments.

This story about a boy founding his own volleyball club and overcoming his shortcomings despite everyone telling him he was ‘not suitable’ for the sport he loved is a gripping and inspiring tale of passion and sportsmanship.

2

Blue Lock

An Underestimated Player Becomes A Top Striker

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29

9.5/10

Blue Lock

TV-14
AnimationSports

Release Date

October 8, 2022

Directors

Tetsuaki Watanabe, Shunsuke Ishikawa

Writers

Taku Kishimoto

Cast

  • Cast Placeholder Image

    Ricco Fajardo

  • Cast Placeholder Image

    Drew Breedlove

  • Cast Placeholder Image

    Alex Horn

  • Cast Placeholder Image

    See All Cast & Crew

Seasons

2

Studio

8bit

Based On

Manga

Creator

Muneyuki Kaneshiro

Number of Episodes

24 Episodes (Season 1); 14 Episodes (Season 2)

Streaming Service(s)

Crunchyroll

MyAnimeList Score

8.22 (Season 1); 6.66 (Season 2)

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Ages ago, when Captain Tsubasa became one of the best anime of all time, no one ever thought that there would be yet another great tale about football players overcoming adversity together. Until Blue Lock entered the field, and things changed drastically.

The story of Yoichi Isagi is an absolutely thrilling tale of self-discovery, and passion, with a protagonist who never surrenders, not even in the lows of life. Giving it his all with every breathing second he has, pummeling the ball with unyielding resolution, and stopping only when victory is declared by the referee’s whistle.

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Fuente: successacademy.edu.vn
Categorías: Anime

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